Stranger Things: 5 Reasons It’s A Great Show To Watch With The Whole Family (& 5 It’s Not)

Netflix’s Stranger Things is one of those weird shows that toe the line between wide accessibility and maturity. If it was a film, it would probably be rated R, yet it’s very popular with younger demographics. This makes sense, as the show looks to embody the films of the ’80s that pushed ratings to their absolute limits. Poltergeist was given a PG rating, despite containing a scene where a man literally rips his own face off.

In this way, Stranger Things wonderfully embodies the hard PG-13 and the light R. It may be perfect for some family viewings, but not always.

10 Is: Good Values

Stranger Things contains many great values that make it an exceptional piece of entertainment for younger audiences. The bad guys are clearly defined as “the bad guys” (particularly in the first season), and all the main characters are heroic and brave in their own ways. The show embodies timeless themes like the importance of family, friendship, bravery, curiosity, and sacrifice, and it does so in very touching and heartwarming ways.

9 Isn’t: Frightening Images

Every kid is different when it comes to handling frightening images, but Stranger Things contains many disturbing moments that may prove too much for younger viewers. Each season contains a different kind of monster (including one composed of melted human remains – more on that later). Each season is also filled with other unsettling imagery, like people getting brutally killed, the “corpse” of a young boy, possession, and an army of mindless, zombie-like people.

8 Is: Child Protagonists

Like many Spielbergian films of the ’80s, Stranger Things contains child protagonists. This will obviously help children connect with the story, allowing them an entry point into its themes and characters. They may also find relatable the characters’ personal journeys, like dealing with parents and authority figures, school life, and falling in love for the very first time. There really is something here for everyone – including the kids.

7 Isn’t: Some Problematic Behavior

As charming and heroic as the characters are, they still display some problematic behavior. Most of the kids swear (although it’s nothing too serious – mostly just the s-word).

Jonathan stalks Nancy and takes creepy pictures of her from the woods. Steve endorses public shaming and embarrassment. And at the beginning of the series, Hopper is an obvious alcoholic and is likely addicted to pills (although he has good reason).

6 Is: (Mostly) Positive Role Models

The great thing about Stranger Things is that nearly every heroic character is heroic in their own ways, and therefore, a positive role model. Mike is “the leader” who often takes charge and shows bravery. Dustin is “the adventurous one” who will seemingly go along with anything. Lucas is the one who overcomes his own hesitations and doubts to embrace strength and bravery. And Eleven is the strongest of all, using her mental strength (both literal and figurative) to fight for her friends and family.

5 Isn’t: Eleven Is A Murderer

That said, Eleven displays some very troubling behavior that may disrupt the values of younger viewers. Eleven will often resort to violence to solve problems, and that includes outright murdering various people throughout the series. Eleven has killed numerous people throughout the series, often in very violent ways. In the season one finale she crushes agents’ brains, causing them to graphically bleed from their eyes and nose. And in season three, she sends a car careening into various Russian soldiers, essentially crushing them to death.

4 Is: The Action

Kids love action, and Stranger Things is full of great action. Luckily, most (but certainly not all) of the action is bloodless and relatively tame, usually consisting of Eleven using her mind powers to flip cars and push bad guys and monsters around.

There’s also the incredible climax of season three that sees a massive monster, mind powers, a car chase, a portal to another dimension, and lots and lots of gorgeous fireworks. It’s a thrilling piece of entertainment.

3 Isn’t: It Can Be Gory

Most of the action is bloodless, but certainly not all of it. The first two seasons are relatively tame, with the most shocking visual being that of blood leaking from the eyes and nose of the bad guys. But season three ratchets up the blood and gore to a considerable degree, with The Spider Monster being composed of the melted skin and organs of the Flayed. And yes, audiences get full, graphic glimpses of said human bodies melting into mush.

2 Is: It Will Introduce Kids To Older Movies

One of the most positive aspects of Stranger Things is that it borrows so wonderfully and imaginatively from what came before. So if children enjoy Stranger Things, they can be introduced to older movies that the show so obviously borrows from. Movies like E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and The Goonies. Those movies will forever remain timeless classics, and they should be warmly welcomed by the new generation of movie lovers.

1 Isn’t: Some Heavy Themes & Moments

Stranger Things can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very heavy. Joyce suffers the stress of a missing (and presumed dead) child and subsequently goes “crazy.” Eleven suffers abuse and learns that her mother is an invalid. Hopper spirals into addiction and depression after his daughter dies of cancer. Some of the meatier and more mature themes may prove unsettling to younger kids, and parents may wish to discuss their implications.

About The Author

Nathan Sharp
(852 Articles Published)

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Nathan Sharp is a writer from outside Toronto, Ontario. He has a love of movies and television, having enjoyed them for more than twenty years. His preferences include drama, action, and horror, with the former being a particular point of interest and fascination.

He also has a love of video games, particularly those of Rockstar.

Whether it be about film, television, or video games, Nathan loves a good discussion and has written hundreds of articles for Screen Rant.

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